Film Expo South ‘A big hit’

The second Film Expo South event took place at Ageas Bowl last Friday bringing together practitioners and experts from every level of film making under one roof making it a one-stop-shop for film makers.

Theoretically, it would have been possible to walk in with an idea for a film, pitch it and walk out later having found a script writer, director, crew, equipment hire, catering ,marketing and of course, a lawyer.

Eastleigh already hosts an annual film festival and with this event established on the calendar the borough is rapidly cementing its reputation as creative hub for independent film production in the south of England.

With over 30 exhibitors and 50 speakers it’s the biggest film industry show on the south coast and Colin Froud was doing both – speaking at the event as a freelance Director of Photography while also fronting an exhibition stall for his independent film company, Divercol Productions.

Divercol’s portfolio embraces land, sea and air.

Froud is particularly experienced in underwater and drone filming and has shot footage for many TV reality shows that document the work of the emergency services.

The Wareham based cameraman told Eastleigh News:

“It’s always important to network and small festivals like this bring people together. Everyone here has got a common interest – film making.

“Times are tough ahead and it’s important to network and collaborate with other businesses to keep everybody in work.”

Another stand that was attracting a lot of attention was Tankfall FX – a special effects company that specialises in practical effects like props, prosthetics, make-up and animatronics. It was hard for visitors not to miss the collection of fake severed limbs and a life-sized elephant’s head with a life of its own.

Tankfall was formed recently by former students from Solent University.

Spokesperson Beau Townshend told Eastleigh News that as a result of attending Film Expo South last year, several of the company’s technicians were hired to work on film productions.

“Film Expo South last year was a big turning point for us. It was just after we had started to work together and through having a stall here we realised that there was definitely something in this. Since then we’ve come a long way.”